Educating Safely Information, Research, and Resources to Assist Educators and Local Education Associations

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 Volume 52 | Issue 1

Educating Safely Information, research, and resources to assist educators and local education associations

5 President’s Corner | 12–13 Virtual Learning | 14–15 Candidate Recommendations Coverage you can depend on for the ones you love.

As an eligible NEA member,* you’ve got the protection Visit neamb.com/protect of NEA Complimentary Life Insurance, issued by The to learn about all the Prudential Insurance Company of America — but solutions available you should name a beneficiary to make sure your loved to help meet your ones are covered. Go to neamb.com/free-tote and insurance needs. register your beneficiary to get this FREE tote. Or call 1-855-NEA-LIFE (632-5433) and mention offer code: TOTE BAG FREE

4 President’s Corner President for the ones Loren Paul 5 Online Learning Opportunities Vice President you love. Stephanie Hageman 6 A Word from Our NEA Director NEA Director Dana Livermont 7 SDEA/NEA Opportunities Interim Executive Director Fran Linn 8–9 Professional Development Communications Director 10 2020–21 State Leadership Team Sandra Waltman Communications Specialist 11 SDEA Resources for Educators Rebecca Feller 12–13 Virtual Learning Address 14–15 South Dakota Candidate Recommendations Education Association 411 East Capitol Avenue 16 Coronavirus Relief Fund Pierre, SD 57501 17 SDEA Members in Action! 18 CARES Act Leave Provisions 19 Educator Mental Health 20–21 SDEA/NEA Educational As an eligible NEA member,* you’ve got the protection Visit neamb.com/protect Innovation Grant The Educators’ Advocate of NEA Complimentary Life Insurance, issued by The to learn about all the (ISSN 0013-2047) is published five times annually by SDEA/ Prudential Insurance Company of America — but 22–23 Top 10 Reasons to Belong solutions available NEA, 411 East Capitol Avenue, you should name a beneficiary to make sure your loved to help meet your 23 SDEA-Retired Pierre, SD. Periodicals ones are covered. Go to neamb.com/free-tote and insurance needs. postage paid at Pierre, SD. register your beneficiary to get this FREE tote. Or call Postmaster: 1-855-NEA-LIFE (632-5433) and mention offer code: Vision Mission Send address to TOTE BAG FREE We envision valued South Dakota Education The Educators’ Advocate, education professionals Association ensures the 411 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501. providing quality collective voice for South Official publication of the public education for all Dakota public education South Dakota Education students. professionals. Association/NEA.

* Visit us online or call for eligibility requirements. NEA Members Insurance Trust is a registered trademark of the NEA Members Insurance Trust. NEA Complimentary Life Insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ. 0302614-00002-00 DT460920 SDEA.org | 3 New School Year. New Roles. New Challenges. The start of the 2020–2021 school year is and staff safe. So, what do we do? like no other. For me, the new year brings I have always believed that in order to a new role as your SDEA President. My make it through this pandemic we must do new title comes with a lot of responsibility, this together. Now more than ever, SDEA which I take very seriously. SDEA members is committed to supporting our members. entrusted me to be the steward of the South We continue to develop tools, such as the Dakota Education Association (SDEA) and to Guide to Educating Safely, to help educators, represent educators across the state. I am students and their families navigate these eager to be your voice, and I know that if we uncertain times. SDEA continues to push work together, we can bring positive change for additional funding to make sure you to our public schools, but I need your help. have what you need to do your job safely. As your new president, I know I have a lot We continue to remind everyone, including to learn. Just because I was elected to this state leaders, school board members, position, doesn’t mean that I have all the administrators and parents, that they MUST answers. I believe the best leaders do less put the necessary measures in place to keep talking and a lot more listening. I want to students and teachers safe. hear it all—the good and the bad. I need I am so honored to represent the most to know what is working, and I need to committed educators in the country. You know what is NOT working. What can truly inspire me. Being an educator was we, collectively as an Association, do to never an easy job but educating during a help you do your job better? Maybe you pandemic makes South Dakota’s educators just need an ear or maybe you need more miracle workers. On behalf of the students support and resources to help you be a of South Dakota, thank you for continuing better educator in these unprecedented to be there for them. I look forward to the times. year to come and I look forward to hearing This brings me to the start of the 2020–2021 from you. school year in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools opened in August and early September, educators did their best to prepare for what was to come. However, it Loren Paul didn’t take long for concerns and confusion SDEA President to arise. Educators are being designated as essential workers, cases are spiking, and 800-529-0090 schools lack the resources to keep students 605-224-9263, ext 116 [email protected]

4 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate New Educator & Member Benefits Online Sessions The South Dakota Education Association (SDEA) has partnered with the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA) to offer members a number of online sessions. NSEA and SDEA know the learning never stops, and that now, more than ever, educators will need to be as proficient at distance learning as they are in the traditional classroom. To address this need, the following webinars and professional development opportunities are available: Member Benefits Webinars/Topics Do more and save more with your NEA Member Benefits! Attend a webinar for an overview of the benefits available to you. These online sessions are applicable to members and officers of local associations with topics such as bargaining, politics, member benefits, student loan forgiveness, advocacy and membership.

New Educator Sessions New Educator Online Learning Opportunities — a series of professional learning webinars to support the success of new educators in the classroom, instructional growth and retention in the profession.

ONLINE SESSIONS

SDEA.org | 5 A Word from Our NEA Director Dana Livermont Dana is a certified school counselor and K-12 specialist with the SD Statewide Family Engagement Center who serves as your representative on the NEA Board of Directors. She is passionate about organizing around issues and equity for students in South Dakota. Twitter @theDanamyte

As I begin my term as your representative schools having had different experiences on the NEA Board of Directors, I am with COVID-19, and that is okay. What unites humbled and honored to be able to serve all of us is our deep commitment to our in this position. Since I began my career students and our communities and a desire in education over 10 years ago, I have for a safe and healthy school year. witnessed the spirit and dedication of South Dakota educators, who work tirelessly I want to share with you that like SDEA, to provide a top-notch education to our NEA is creating and compiling valuable children and young adults—often without resources to support educators in the pay and praise that is so deserved. this journey to return to learning. I encourage all of you to check out https:// With the unexpected challenges of teaching educatingthroughcrisis.org/ which has through a pandemic, my admiration of loads of resources and articles relating to school staff across South Dakota has only digital supports, wellness, and your rights intensified. I see custodians planning to during the pandemic. create sanitary learning environments and clerical staff figuring out how to add temperature checker and symptom manager to the list of daily duties. I see the school counselors and social workers striving to foster safe and resilient spaces to support the mental health of students and staff as they return to school in crisis. I see classroom teachers and university instructors working throughout the summer While visiting that page, please take a look to transform classrooms, to prepare for at the “Take Action” page. Regardless of the possibility of in-person and distance your political affiliation, educators must be learning, and to learn everything they vigilant in demanding the resources and can about this virus in order to make safe supports necessary to keep South Dakota decisions for our students. youth safe while learning. On this page, you can contact Senators Thune and Rounds, Throughout this pandemic, I have often post the image above on your social media, seen the quote, “We are in the same storm, and more. If we, the educators, are not but we are not all in the same boat.” I see going to fight for what our students deserve, this in our educators. We are returning to who will? 6 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate SDEA/NEA OPPORTUNITIES GRANT, SCHOLARSHIPS, CAREER

SDEA/NEA SDEA/NEA’s ESP Award SDEA/NEA’s ESP of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of ESP Education Support Professionals (ESPs) in their schools, communities, and OF THE YEAR their profession. The award is presented to a member of SDEA/NEA who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of ESP to public education. Deadline: November 1

SDEA/NEA SDEA/NEA Friend of Education Award FRIEND OF The South Dakota Education Association/NEA is seeking nominations for the EDUCATION AWARD Friend of Education Award. • The nominee must be a person or organization outside of SDEA/NEA. • The nominee should have proven to be a genuine friend of education, educators, and/or students. • The nominee should reflect the philosophy and principles of the association. • The nominee through leadership, acts and support must have made contributions toward achieving a first-rate education for students in South Dakota. Deadline: November 1

SDEA/NEA SDEA/NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards HUMAN & The South Dakota Education Association/NEA is seeking nominations for CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD the Human and Civil Rights Award to honor an individual, student group, or organization for their work in promoting human and civil rights. Deadline: November 1

SDEA/NEA SDEA/NEA Early Career Educator Award EARLY CAREER An individual member or a local may nominate an early career educator for EDUCATOR AWARD this award. Each governance unit may select an Early Career Educator of the Year from nominations submitted in their unit. All the unit winners will be candidates for the statewide award, which will be announced at the 2021 Representative Assembly in Pierre. Deadline: December 1

For more information on all grants and awards offered by SDEA, visit SDEA.org. SDEA.org | 7 Professional Development Graduate Courses — 9 credits for $225

South Dakota Education Association (SDEA), Augustana University and Virtual Education Software (VESi) have partnered to offer SDEA members access to online courses available for graduate credit.

Only for SDEA members: • Three graduate courses (up to nine credits) Course topics include: for $225 per year Attention Deficit • Choose from over 30 online courses for Hyperactivity Disorder re-certification or pay raises Autism & Asperger’s Disorders • You may take one course per term or two courses during the summer Classroom Management • Learn at your own pace from the Early Childhood Education convenience of your home

Harassment, Bullying & Sign up: Cyber-intimidation • https://bridge.sdea.org/ Talented and Gifted resources?reset=true Teaching Diversity • Click on the link, scroll down to the VESI resource offer, click on it and follow the Teaching Math Conceptually directions to enroll. and many more. • You may view a list of courses once you access the VESI website offer. Graduate Credits granted through Augustana University.

SAVE UP TO $645 EACH YEAR! Your course year runs for 365 days from the date you first enroll.

8 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate NEA Micro-Credentials Professional Learning Communities

Are you looking for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) hours or graduate credit online this summer? SDEA if offering a self-paced, independent learning format through Micro-credentials with a Professional Learning Community (PLC). What are Micro-credentials? It’s an opportunity to receive credit online by earning ‘badges’, which confirms the work you have done. What can I learn? There are over 180 topics for educators to explore and each badge is worth up to 15 CEU hours, which are free upon request with submission of the badge, or one graduate credit through Augustana University at $35 per credit hour. How does it work? It’s easy: 1. Select the micro-credential you want to earn. Find the New PLC starts in Oct. library at https://nea.certificationbank.com/ Sign up by Sept. 30 at southdakota. Click on the PDF for any micro-credential https://bridge.sdea.org/courses/214 to view the requirements. 2. Complete the outlined course work. Collect the research, evidence, and artifacts necessary to complete the requirements.

3. Upload your assignments online where a team of NEA members will review your work and send you the results in about two to three weeks.

4. Share your badge with Augustana for graduate credit at augie.edu/sdea or with richard. [email protected] to request CEU hours.

Questions? Contact: Rich Mittelstedt, Teaching and Learning Coordinator 800-529-0090 | 605-886-4800 | [email protected]

SDEA.org | 9 Meet Your 2020–21 State Leadership Team EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Loren Paul * Kim Soldatke President Treasurer

Stephanie Hageman * Dana Livermont * Vice President NEA Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS WESTERN SOUTHEAST EDUCATORS Charles Arseneault Sue May David Sommers Martin Sieverding Carol Waider * COHE AT-LARGE PLAINS Mark Geary Tess Canet

Greg Murley ESP AT-LARGE Heather Harmon EDUCATORS GUIDING LEARNERS MINORITY AT-LARGE Paula Hanson * Curt Anderson EASTERN PRAIRIE

Danyelle Cleveland RETIRED Robert Hoffmann Kelsey Lovseth * Dawn Wiebers STUDENT Fallon Budmayr *

* Denotes an incoming officer

SDEA Board of Directors meeting minutes can now be found online at NEA EdCommunities on the “SDEA Members Only” group page.

10 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate Resources for Educators First Years, Great Career! Guide This is an SDEA booklet designed with teachers new to the career in mind. The book can also be used as a mentoring tool for a series of meetings with a veteran teacher(s).

New Education Support Professional Guide All of us at SDEA welcome you. We hope this booklet provides helpful tips and resources in a variety of areas related to your profession. If you have questions, please contact your local association officers, UniServ Director and/or SDEA ESP Coordinator for assistance.

Educating Safely: A Guide for South Dakota Educators “What are my rights?,” “How can I keep my school community safe?,” and “What happens if…?”. This guide was created to provide information, research, and resources to assist educators and local education associations in answering some of these very questions. The health and safety of students, educators and communities is SDEA’s highest priority. To that end, we believe the voice of educators must shape a district’s reopening plan to ensure it is rooted in facts, research, and reputable expert opinions.

Tips for Social Wash Your Hands Wear Your Mask Distancing The Right Way Correctly

Print quality versions of all three posters can be found on SDEA.org. Just click on the Educating Safely: A Guide for South Dakota Educators banner, then on the poster you want and download the file. All posters are 8.5” x 11”.

SDEA.org | 11 Virtual Learning Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is virtual learning “legal” under state and federal law? • Yes – nothing in state or federal law specifically prohibits virtual learning. Although it is generally unlawful to record someone’s communications without their consent, South Dakota is among the “one-party consent” states which permit the recording of a communication without consent so long as the one making the recording is a party to the communication. Therefore, virtual learning does not violate state law if there is a recording of communications among students and a staff member. • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) may also apply to virtual learning. FERPA is the federal law which protects the privacy of student educational records. Under FERPA, a parent must give written consent before a school may disclose “personally identifiable information” (“PII”) from student records, unless an exception to this general consent requirement applies (a student may consent if they are 18 or older). 2. When does FERPA apply to virtual learning? • FERPA only applies to virtual learning if PII in educational records is disclosed without consent. PII includes, but is not limited to, a student’s name; the names of a student’s parents or other family members; a student’s address, social security number, date of birth, student ID number or other information that would allow a reasonable person in the school community to identify the student with reasonable certainty. • If PII is not disclosed during virtual learning or the recording is not maintained as a student record, then it is unlikely that FERPA would even apply. For example, a recorded lesson which does not mention student names or include student images would not raise FERPA issues. 3. How can I avoid liability under FERPA? • FERPA does not permit a student’s parent to sue a teacher personally in the event of a FERPA violation. FERPA violations can only lead to action taken against a school, which can include the loss of federal funding.

Questions or Concerns — Contact a UniServ Director today! 800-529-0090 | 605-224-9263

12 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate 4. Does a FERPA violation occur if a student’s name is used during virtual learning or the recording of a class captures images of students’ faces? • Probably not. Assuming the recording contains PII and is maintained as a student record, exceptions under FERPA allow teachers to disclose a student’s name, photograph and other directory information during the class in which the student is enrolled without parental consent. 5. Can non-students observe a virtual lesson? • FERPA does not prohibit a non-student from observing a lesson assuming that PII is not disclosed during the lesson. 6. Which apps or virtual learning resources should I use? • All virtual learning apps and online sources should be approved by your administration. FERPA sets forth requirements which must be met before utilizing a third-party source for virtual learning. 7. What are the best ways to avoid issues with virtual learning? • Secure written administrative approval of discretionary virtual learning plans, such as plans for recording or streaming of lessons and security protocols. Follow administrative directives and school policies specific to virtual learning and confirm concerns or questions in writing with school administration. • Do not share student information that you would not otherwise disclose during regular classroom instruction. Avoid discussions about specific students (e.g. grades) during any virtual learning session involving your entire class.

SDEA Members Only: Log into MyNEA360 to join the “SDEA Members Only” group to access SDEA/ NEA member only documents and information. New users will need to create a MyNEA360 profile in order to be verified as an SDEA member.

SDEA.org | 13 SDEA-EPIC Recommended State Legislative Candidates The following SD-EPIC recommendations are based on SDEA’s Pro-Public Education Agenda. A “Friendly Legislator” is based on an incumbent’s voting record and or working relationship with SDEA’s lobbyists and members. All non-incumbents were interviewed by a local SD-EPIC Interview Team and completed a questionnaire which is based upon SDEA’s Legislative Agenda, which only addresses public education and public education employees. The following candidates have been designated as Pro-Public Education and SD-EPIC recommends that they are elected to their respective positions. District 1 District 13 House Jennifer Healy Keintz House Kelly A. Sullivan* House Steven Mccleerey* House Norman B Bliss Senate Susan Wismer* Senate Liz Larson District 5 District 14 House Hugh Bartles + House Erin Healy* Senate Lee Schoenbeck* House Tom Holmes Senate Larry P Zikmund District 7 House Larry Tidemann District 15 House Tim Reed* House Linda Duba*** Senate VJ Smith + House Jamie Smith* Senate Reynold F Nesiba* District 8 House Val Parsley** District 17 House Al Leber District 9 House Michael Saba* House Caitlin F Collier House Toni Miller Senate Arthur Rusch* Senate Suzie Jones Pranger District 18 House Ryan Cwach* District 10 House Doug Barthel* House Mike Stevens House Michelle L Hentschel District 19 Senate Dr. Nichole Cauwels Senate Kyle Schoenfish District 11 District 21 House Sheryl Johnson** Senate Erin Tobin House Margaret M Kuipers District 22 Senate Tom Cool House Roger Chase* District 12 House C. John McEnelly House Erin Royer

House Greg Jamison

Senate Jessica Meyers

14 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate District 25 District 29 House Jared Nieuwenhuis Senate Gary L Cammack* House Jeff Barth District 33 Senate Rick W Knobe Senate David Johnson*

District 26 District 34 Senate Troy Heinert* House Jess Olson* District 27 Senate Michael G Diedrich House Peri Pourier* Senate Red Dawn Foster*

* Denotes a “Friendly Legislator” + No Opponent ** Denotes an SDEA member Blue Democrat *** Denotes a Friendly Legislator who is an Red Republican SDEA Member Purple Independent

Don’t Forget to Vote — TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3TH!

Go to sdsos.gov for: • Sample Ballots • Polling Locations • Absentee Voting • Election Results

SDEA.org | 15 Coronavirus Relief Fund Gov. Noem has announced that an additional $75 million in CRF grant funding will be made available to South Dakota’s public and non-public K-12 schools.

The U.S. Treasury’s updated guidance The final payment will be made in early allows direct payments to K-12 schools of November following the finalization of 2020 up to $500 per elementary and secondary enrollments. student “such that schools do not need to document the specific use of funds up to that amount.” (See CRF Calculations) Payments can be used to “cover costs associated with providing distance learning (e.g., the cost of laptops to provide to students) or for in-person learning (e.g., the cost of acquiring personal protective equipment for students attending schools in-person or other costs associated with meeting Center for Disease Control guidelines). This information will be posted on the SD Department of Education’s CARES Act The payments may only be used to cover funding webpage: https://doe.sd.gov/ costs that: coronavirus/caresact.aspx 1. Are necessary expenditures incurred South Dakota’s tribes received CARES Act due to the public health emergency funds as well. Tribes can elect to support with respect to the Coronavirus Disease their schools in the same way as described 2019 (COVID-19); above. 2. Were not accounted for in the budget The CRF grants are in addition to the $41 most recently approved as of March million schools received through the U.S. 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the Department of Education’s Elementary & CARES Act) for the State of government; Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. and The ESSER grants required public schools to 3. Were incurred during the period that provide equitable services to the non-public begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on schools in their district boundaries. There is December 30, 2020. not an equitable services requirement with The state’s 149 public school districts the CRF grants. Both public and non-public and 47 accredited non-public schools will schools will receive funding directly from receive an initial payment based on 90% of the CRF. their Fall 2019 enrollment.

16 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate SDEA Members in Action!

SDEA.org | 17 CARES Act Leave Provisions Am I entitled to sick leave if I become sick with COVID-19? Yes, all public employees are entitled to paid sick leave under a federal law passed by Congress in March 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Key parts if this legislation: daughter whose school or childcare provider is closed or unavailable due to • Full-time employees are entitled to COVID-19. This additional type of FMLA up to a total of 80 hours of paid sick leave under the FFCRA also expires at leave, paid at their full rate of pay (up the end of December 2020. to $511 per day), if they test positive, experience symptoms, or are required to • You can take up to an additional quarantine. 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the • You can take FFCRA paid sick leave (at employee’s regular rate of pay where an 2/3 your regular rate, up to $200 per employee, who has been employed for day) if you are caring for an individual at least 30 calendar days, is unable to who has been advised by a health care work due to a bona fide need for leave provider to quarantine due to concerns to care for a child whose school or child related to COVID-19, or an individual care provider is closed or unavailable for who is required to quarantine because reasons related to COVID-19. of a federal, state, or local order related to COVID-19. What are qualifying reasons for leave under FFCRA? • This leave is in addition to any paid sick leave you may already have. Your Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for employer can’t require you to use other paid sick time if the employee is unable to leave first, and they can’t reduce the work (or unable to telework) due to a need amount of other leave you are entitled for leave because the employee: to under a current collective bargaining agreement, employer policy, or state or 1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local local law. quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; • You can use the two weeks (80 hours) of FFCRA paid sick leave (paid at the 2. has been advised by a health care 2/3 rate) if you are caring for a child provider to self-quarantine related to whose school or childcare provider is COVID-19; closed or unavailable due to COVID- 3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and related reasons. You can also take an is seeking a medical diagnosis; additional 10 weeks of paid leave (at 2/3 your regular rate, up to $200/day) 4. is caring for an individual subject to an of expanded Family and Medical Leave order described in (1) or self-quarantine Act (FMLA) leave to care for a son or as described in (2); — Continued to page 19 18 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate CARES Act Leave Provisions Educator Mental Health With the uncertainty of fall learning, it is no surprise that many South Dakota educators are feeling high levels of stress and anxiety. It is imperative that educators have resources to reflect and care for their own mental health, so that they can provide the best education for our students.

Here are some tips to consider: a lunchtime walk with a coworker, going for a morning run, or ending the • Concentrate on what you can control. day with a yoga session, find ways to There will be a lot of uncertainties exhaust some of the nervous energy this fall. Instead of perseverating on that anxiety creates. those things which you cannot control, concentrate on what you can, like how • Have a buddy. Identify at least one you build relationships with students, person at school and one person what you do outside of school, and the outside of school you feel comfortable mindset you will choose each day. talking to when you feel overwhelmed. • Have a plan for when you need a • Stay home when you need a mental break during the school day. We all wellness day. Your own health should have moments when the stress of the be your number one priority, and that classroom becomes too much, and includes your mental health. Review those moments may happen more your Collective Bargaining Language on frequently with the addition of wearing leave for guidance. a mask and maintaining social distance in your school. Is there an administrator, • Seek out a mental health professional cooperating teacher, secretary, or if you need one. Nearly half of all custodian who can step in for you when American adults will need mental health you need to take 5 minutes? Maybe support at some point in their lifetime, you and a coworker can make a plan to and nearly 1 in 5 American adults will support each other. have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. It’s very • Get some exercise. Whether it is taking normal, and okay to seek help.

— Continued from page 18 5. is caring for a child whose school or 6. is experiencing any other substantially place of care is closed (or childcare similar condition specified by the provider is unavailable) for reasons Secretary of Health and Human Services, related to COVID-19; or in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury. — Continued to page 19 SDEA.org | 19 SDEA/NEA Educational Innovation Grant

Culturally Library Brings today. Comparing To Kill a Mockingbird, Respect – $742.12 a traditional novel, with The Hate U Give, a modern take on similar themes, will Korey Erickson, Sioux Falls help students meet standards including The project will begin by talking to students analyzing historical context, analyze the in library class about seeing the world themes of injustice, and compare and through others’ eyes. How does a dog see contrast different writing styles. the world differently than a wolf? How does a bird see it differently than an ant? With Robotics and Computer students beginning to understand the idea Programming in the of points of view, I’d move on to a child Elementary Classroom – $1000 living in the city versus the country and get Koreen Hammel, Hot Springs more and more complex to develop some critical thinking skills. Students will use student friendly Discussing Racial Injustice: devices to learn about robotics To Kill a Mockingbird and and coding. They The Hate U Give – $987.48 will build their Jennifer Lofswold, Aberdeen skills in digital From teaching, citizenship and I have noticed innovative design. that general They will also populations build their knowledge of innovative design of students and computational thinking. Students have difficulty will share their findings and creations seeing the in a parent STEM night arranged by relevance of Koreen Hammel the instructor. This will traditional be an introduction to moving the entire literature to their lives and the lives of elementary to an after school STEM club others around them. Because writing styles with a focus on Robotics and Coding. change over time, traditional literature can seem antiquated to students reading

20 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate We Can Learn from Anywhere – $950 SDEA/NEA LouAnn Jensen, Estelline EDUCATIONAL Due to the pandemic I want to be able INNOVATION to take the classroom to a remote GRANT teaching situation as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some students do not have SDEA/NEA Educational internet access. In order to bridge this technology divide, I would like to purchase Innovation Grant ten hotspots that could be checked out The SDEA/NEA Educational from my classroom library by students who Innovation Grant Program provides need internet access. grants to members in support of As we moved to remote instruction, I had innovative educational and student- a lot of difficulty finding resources for oriented projects. The grant program vocabulary. There are a lot of vocabulary funds new member-led projects. instruction programs that provide lists of It does not fund projects on an words, but lists of words taught in isolation on-going basis. The grants give do not “stick” in student’s heads. Novel preference to proposals that address studies often provide lists of words, but student achievement, cultural the activities associated with them are one diversity issues, include community and done. Research also shows that this partnerships, and can be duplicated May 1 is not effective in teaching students new by others. Deadline: vocabulary. Once the novel is over the student may never see the word again. I would like to purchase the Vocabulary.com program to solve both of these issues.

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK 2020 American Education Week — November 16–20, 2020 — will present all Americans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.

Monday: Kickoff Day Thursday: Educator for a Day Tuesday: Parents Day Friday: Substitute Educators Day Wednesday: Education Support Professionals Day

SDEA.org | 21 Top Ten Reasons to Belong

1 A Voice At The Table Check out NEA’s edCommunities at www.mynea360.com There’s power in numbers. Joining the association gives you greater influence 5 Improved Working And over the decisions that affect your classroom and career. Whether you Student Learning advocate for changes in your school, Conditions at Your Worksite speak at school board meetings, Local associations empower educators advocate for increased school funding to advocate for smaller class size, at the state and local level, or lobby sound education policies, input into your state legislators and county board curriculum, and safe buildings, just to members, your local will support you. name a few. These working conditions mean a better learning environment for 2 Increased Pay And Benefits your students. As a part of the SDEA you can assist in the fight for professional pay, 6 Influencing the Decision affordable health care and retirement Making Process at the Local, security so a career in education is a State and National Levels viable profession. SDEA’s competitive pay campaign strives to make salaries SDEA works with leaders at all levels and benefits competitive with our of government to promote education surrounding states. policies that are student-focused, accompanied by funding levels that 3 Improved Professional meet the needs of all students. Practice 7 Publishing Information And The SDEA and your local association Up-To-Date Materials help you advocate for access to high- quality professional development and No other organization gets the word increased collaboration time so you can out more quickly, more accurately and improve your practice. more often than the SDEA and your local association. The SDEA Educators’ 4 Nationwide Community Of Advocate and NEA Today, plus a host of newsletters, brochures, social media Educators and SDEA’s website (www.sdea.org) When you are a member of your local keeps you informed. association, you are also a member of your state affiliate and the national 8 Assisting Our Members NEA. The association is your way to With our UniServ Directors (UD) from connect with like minded colleagues around the state, members can rely on across the county, state and nation who SDEA to be there when a member needs are working to better students’ lives. assistance. Whether it is discussing

22 | SDEA Educators’ Advocate an issue, sitting in on a meeting or association members with professional meeting with school staff to solve a liability insurance through NEA problem, our UDs are there to support Educators Employment Liability (EEL) our members. Your professional rights Program. are vigorously defended through a legal defense system that utilizes SDEA staff 10 NEA Member Benefits & and attorney services. Access Savings 9 Liability Insurance Improve your buying power and save money with NEA’s Member Benefits and Because the liability potential can be our Access Savings program’s benefits so serious for individuals employed and discounts. Those benefits now by schools and other educational include assistance with student loan units SDEA/NEA provides all eligible debt.

Get 10 for Public Ed

SDEA-Retired will be reaching out to members to participate in the “Get 10 for Public Ed” campaign, initiated by NEA-Retired members.

This effort will be to encourage our educator voice in ensuring that members and friends actually vote in the upcoming elections, by making ten contacts before, during, and after making the mark on the ballot on November 3rd.

Watch for details coming soon from your SDEA-Retired leadership, through emails, postal mail, and phone calls.

“We’ll be talkin’ soon!”

SDEA.org | 23 SDEA Board of Directors SEE Meeting — Mitchell Native America Day (offices closed) EGL Unit Meeting Western Unit Meeting Plains Unit Meeting

6 SDEA/NEA ESP of the Year Award nomination deadline SDEA/NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards nomination deadline 12 SDEA/NEA Friend of Education Award 2–3 19 nomination deadline 19 Veterans Day (offices closed) 24 1 American Education Week

1 October 1

November

16–20